8 Reasons We Might Grow De-sensitized to Our Sin This Week

It happens to most of us. We don’t want sin to control us, but still we give it much more power than it should have. In fact, we sometimes get de-sensitized to our sin—and just a little “numbness” over our sin can lead to trouble. Monitor your heart this week, and see if you might show tendencies toward de-sensitized living. 

1. We spend little time in the Word and in prayer. I know that sounds like a “Sunday School” answer, but it’s still accurate. When we do not spend time with God, we lose some of our focus on Him. Sin becomes even more inviting. 
2. We spend little time with other believers. That means that we fight temptations by ourselves, without the accountability and prayer support of brothers and sisters in Christ. The lack of these two things can lead to increased de-sensitization toward our sin. 
3. We simply enjoy the sin. Whatever “pleasure” we might experience is temporary (“for a season”—Heb 11:25), but we don’t think about that fact when we stare temptation in the face. It’s strange, actually—false “pleasure” can lead to our feeling nothing about our sin.  
4. We listen to the voices of the world. Those voices say, “You deserve it” and “Look at what you’re missing if you don’t go there.” If we listen to the voices too long, we at least temporarily let their volume drown out any conviction we might experience. 
5. We experience no immediate repercussions to our sin. Sure, conviction usually sets in – but, as we become numb to our wrong, we don’t pay as much attention to that conviction. Because we sometimes don’t experience any immediate, direct consequences of our choices, we find it easier to succumb to temptation the next time. 
6. We bank on the possibility of tomorrow. We get de-sensitized to today’s sin because we assume we can always get right with God tomorrow. After all, we think, we’ve been here before—and tomorrow has always come in the past. 
7. We put ourselves in positions that de-sensitize us toward sin. For example, we hang out with the wrong people in the wrong place at the wrong time with the wrong focus. Or, we keep putting garbage into our heads through the media and the Internet. Either way, it’s hard to remain sensitive to our sin when we intentionally choose wrong. 
8. We give little thought to answering to God for our choices. After all, that time surely won’t come until a long time from now. Why let our present-tense choices get clouded by what we assume is a future-tense concern? 

So, what do we do to avoid becoming even a little de-sensitized to our sin this week? Start with this prayer today: “Lord, help me to see my sin as You see it.” Then, be aware of these warning signs above—and run to God if you recognize any of them this week.